velvet

to touch a baby
is to come aware of how
coarse one's own hands are

mothers and fuckers

say im at the park,

and i see some raggedy

dog with tootsie teets

and a floppy twat.

i always toss her a look --

one that says "i know"

and so do i. goddammit.

"there'll be days like this"
my mama said not ever.
she just yelled a lot.

and there's a fire

fingers a bit cold

and bellies warm with food,

she leans into me,

opens my sweater

and nuzzles my middle.

"let's be close," she says.

we practice French in the tub

"my nails.  mes ongles."
she makes waves with her legs
"look at all my scabs."

my home

let this be my castle
let this be my fortress
let them hold me here, captive in this perfect prison forever and ever.
let this be my tomb.

aggressive

poorly fitted shoes
cold ashes over embers
expired laxatives.